What do youth want from counselling?  What do they want to tell other counsellors about what works?

Four young people who had never met before met up with four counsellors (having professional experiences ranging from 1 to over 30 years) to have a discussion on the theme of ‘doing more of what works, and less of what doesn’t’.

The meeting, and discussion was held live, on stage at Te Papa, at a plenary session of a NZAC annual conference.

On the day there were surprises for all, tears from those who didn’t expect to be so moved, and comments along the lines of ‘it was as if the audience disappeared and we were part of an intimate, and valuable conversation that ended up feeling like a session facilitated by Mandy’.

For me it was lovely to help facilitate conversations that nourished the mauri of the young people and held the mauri of the group.

I liked that people of different ages, cultures, genders and lifestyles were keen to try something new, and kind of risky,  in terms of demonstrating how else people can relate and contribute to well-being.  It inspired me to keep noticing gaps in services and research, leaving me with a desire to communicate what’s important to people’s mental health in effective, different and humane ways.  It was heart-warming being with people who were willing to be part of a new experience and left me wondering what allowed us all to do that, and what else is possible.

Kia ora tatou.

Whiti (a): to relate, cross-over, emerge, shine.

– Mandy